THANK YOU...
More than just a property, San Damiano is a place where history, community and natural beauty meet. And we, as a community, have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape its next chapter into a space welcoming and celebrated by everyone all year round.
The City of Monona and Friends of San Damiano (FoSD) collaborated with the community to finalize the San Damiano Master Plan in March 2024. Guided by this vision, FoSD is generating the resources needed to transform this historic lakeside property into an accessible public space that honors the environment, culture, and community, while providing recreational and educational opportunities.
In March 2025, The City and FoSD solidified their relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a public-private relationship and enabling vital fundraising, leadership expansion, and phased implementation of the San Damiano Master Plan, marking a major step forward for San Damiano's future. Shortly after, FoSD defined its leadership, hiring its first employee, Dawn Froncek, as Operations Manager. And in September 2025, Cara Erickson joined the organization, chosen as FoSD's first Executive Director.
Whether you join us for free music and lively celebrations, share your enthusiasm on a bike ride through with friends, or gather on the shore to watch the sunset over the isthmus, San Damiano's greatest strength is its people. Together, we will ensure that this special place continues to be a shoreline for all, accessible to the public by land and by lake.
We can’t do it alone, however - your support is essential. Learn how you can be involved as a supporter, sponsor, volunteer, or community partner. Thank you for your belief in our mission and for joining us on this journey.
Your gift today supports our ability to:
- Build capacity to host free, inclusive community events that celebrate the changing seasons and connect neighbors of all ages.
- Enhance our facilities and infrastructure to welcome the community and host private rentals, generating sustainable revenue and expanding our reach.
- Invest in land stewardship to maintain hiking trails, native habitats, and natural spaces that make our grounds a sanctuary for people and wildlife alike.
- Advance our Master Plan, ensuring this community space continues to grow and can sustain itself as a vibrant, accessible destination - in Monona, on the lake, and for Dane County.
